Carrick-on-Shannon is the designated ‘Decarbonisation’reducing the amount of Carbon Dioxide emissionsZone (DZ) for County Leitrim.
The vision for Carrick-on-Shannon is:
“Carrick-on-Shannon Decarbonising Zone will be a focus for sustainable place-based climate action opportunities — including mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity enhancement — to deliver on the National Climate Objective at local and community levels, and to provide a testbed of learning that can be replicated across County Leitrim.”
8.35 tCO₂e per person per year
In 2018, the town’s emissions were estimated at 28,919 tonnes of CO₂e per year. The 2016 census gave the population of Carrick-on-Shannon as 3,464. The estimated per person emissions of the town is about 8.35 tonnes.
Sustainability Practices and Early Actions
Social Housing Retrofit – Autumn View Estate
Under the Climate Action Plan 2024–2029, Leitrim County Council committed to upgrading its social housing stock to a minimum BER of B2. In 2024, 14 homes in Autumn View — located within the DZ — underwent deep retrofits while tenants remained in place.
Works included:
external wall insulation – air-to-water heat pumps – new high-efficiency radiators – upgraded ventilation – new windows and doors – attic insulation – LED lighting
Post-works BERs ranged between A3 and B1, representing a major improvement in energy performance, comfort and emissions reduction. The project received strong positive feedback from residents.
With over 1,100 social housing units in the county, this work marks a significant early step in a longer decarbonisation journey.
Public Lighting
Leitrim County Council is progressing the upgrade of public lighting to energy-efficient LEDs, with approximately 90% completed to date.
Vacant Homes – Croí Cónaithe
To tackle vacancy and embodied carbon, 12 vacant properties in Carrick-on-Shannon have already received funding for reuse and upgrade, with additional funding available.
Embodied carbonthe total amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the making, transport, and use of building materials of renovation is estimated to have about one quarter the carbon intensitythe amount of climate damaging CO2 something produces of new builds (ref Irish Green Building Council Building-Zero-Carbon-Ireland.
EV Charging Infrastructure
Carrick-on-Shannon has a growing EV network, including fast-charging locations and shared mobility, including two Go Cars.
Charge points are currently available at multiple sites across the town, with further expansion planned under the county’s Public EV Charging Strategy.
Community Gardens Network
Carrick-on-Shannon hosts four active community gardens — Breffni Community Garden, the Biodiversity Garden and Riverside Walk, the Heritage Group’s Sensory Garden at St. Patrick’s Hospital, and the Shannonside View Community Garden.
All are part of the Leitrim Community Garden Network, supporting local food production, skills sharing and biodiversity enhancement.
Tidy Towns Leadership & Biodiversity
Carrick-on-Shannon was named Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2025 and Tidiest Small Town, recognising exceptional community commitment and impressive sustainability and biodiversity projects.
Tidy Towns initiatives include:
- a biodiversity and linear park with 300+ fruit trees
- willow structures and sensory gardens
- a seed-saving and tree propagation project producing 5,000 seeds annually
To learn more about Carrick On Shannon’s Tidy Town initiatives see: Carrick-On-Shannon Tidy Towns Community Biodiversity/Pollinator Plan 2023 – 2025
Business & Local Economy
Green for Business / Green for Micro
Local SMEs can access free sustainability supports via the Local Enterprise Office, including tailored consultancy. In 2024, 18 businesses participated and completed the Green for Business programme, seven of which are located in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Green for Micro is a border county specific initiative under the Border Regional Stimulus Package and is now into Phase 2. Grants available up to €2,500.
Fairtrade Town Initiative
A local Fairtrade Steering Committee to promote fair trade commerce in the town (and County) via a Fair Trade awareness campaign — involving the Chamber, Leitrim County Council, Tidy Towns and the Volunteer Centre — coordinates awareness programmes and events, including an annual Fairtrade Month parade each March.
Farmers’ Market, Market Yard Carrick on Shannon
The Carrick-on-Shannon Farmers Market takes place every Thursday in the Market Yard from 10am to 2pm, with an expanded presence during the Christmas period. The market is run by the Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op, supporting local growers, artisan producers, and small-scale sustainable agriculture.
Farmers Markets play an important role in strengthening community food security and reducing reliance on long-distance supply chains. By offering fresh, seasonal produce with higher nutritional value and better flavour, they help promote healthier, low-carbon food choices. The market also eliminates the need for excessive packaging, cutting down on waste and supporting more circular consumption habits.
The Carrick-on-Shannon Farmers Market has even been highlighted in national media, featuring in RTÉ’s Moving West! (Season 3, Episode 2)
The Dock – Climate Leadership in the Arts
Leitrim’s flagship arts centre, has adopted its new Climate Action Policy (2025). As part of its sustainability upgrades, The Dock has:
- Applied to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for funding to transition the theatre space to full LED lighting.
- Began preparing funding applications for PV panels to generate electricity on site.
- Started expanding its biodiversity garden, testing an extension to the side and rear of the building while looking for more funding to support the garden.
The Dock is also works in cross-border collaboration through a Shared Island programme, partnering with Leitrim Arts Office, the Leitrim Sustainable Agricultural Group, and Ulster Wildlife. This initiative connects artists and farming networks in Leitrim and Fermanagh who are working on sustainable land-use and creative climate practices.
The Dock continues to put climate themes at the heart of its work. It hosts regular climate-related events and has set specific environmental issues programming quotas for 2026.
Community Climate Action Programme
Leitrim County Council administers the Community Climate Action Programme, offering grants to community organisations implementing climate-related projects. Phase 2 currently provides €300,000 in available funding, including for groups within the DZ.
GAA Green Club
St Mary’s-Kiltoghert/Naomh Muire-Cill Tochairt is registered for Phase 3 of the GAA Green Club Programme
Community Engagement
Carrick-on-Shannon benefits from strong community participation. Two Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) already operate within the DZ — the Carrick-on-Shannon Community SEC and the Upper Shannon Erne Sustainable Region SEC — reflecting a long-standing local appetite for climate action.
Leitrim County Council is currently establishing a DZ Taskforce, identifying six community leaders who are supporting public engagement and helping shape local actions. The newly registered Carrick-on-Shannon Climate Action SEC also functions as part of this taskforce, bringing together partners such as Tidy Towns, the Town Team, Chamber of Commerce, The Hive, the Leitrim Residents Network and The Dock.
The Council also participated in the Climate Action Works Programme, which enabled deeper engagement with residents on local climate impacts and opportunities.
Current and Upcoming DZ Projects
The Council is working with the DZ Taskforce and wider departments to deepen engagement and identify new opportunities. Key projects currently underway or planned include:
District Heating Feasibility
An Example of what a District Heating System Looks Like
A pre-feasibility assessment with AECOM identified Carrick-on-Shannon as the most suitable location in the county for a district heating system. A full feasibility study is now in progress.
River Park Masterplan
The Town Team has secured funding to prepare a masterplan for the town’s green spaces and riverside amenities.
Deep Retrofit of Áras an Chontae
Leitrim County Council, through the regional energy unit and SEAI’s Pathfinder Programme (2025–2027), is designing a deep retrofit of the Áras complex to significantly reduce public-sector emissions.
Town Centre Redevelopment
Planned works include redevelopment of the Town Hall, a new Regional Sports Campus and several urban renewal proposals aligned with Town Centre First. To see further recommendations for Carrick-on-Shannon town, please see the Town Centre First Plan.
Active Travel & Transport Improvements
- Carrick Active Travel Scheme (Leitrim Road)
- Attifinaly Roundabout to Summerhill & Circular Road Cycle Scheme
- New cycling parking facilities
- Junction upgrades & pedestrian crossings
- Blueway: Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge
- Implementation of the Local Transport Plan (LTP 2025–2031), which aims to shift active and public transport mode share from 33% to 51% by 2042
- Additional Active Travel opportunities for the town will open up once the bypass bridge is implemented in Carrick, but active travel measures in the town are not dependent on the bypass being constructed, and there are many possible schemes included in the LTP.
As part of the preparation of the Joint Carrick-on-Shannon Local Area Plan 2025 – 2031 (JLAP), a Local Transport Plan (LTP) has been undertaken in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The LTP has assisted in placing sustainable transport considerations to the forefront of land use planning decisions in the formulation of the JLAP. It examines existing and proposed transport infrastructure for all modes of transport, including walking and cycling, and provides some insight into existing transport patterns and constraints.
The full implementation of the LTP is expected to have a positive impact on the modal split in Carrick-on-Shannon, with the goal of increasing the sustainable mode share. The mode share targets represent the target for commuting trips to work and school/college in Carrick-on-Shannon. The implementation of the transport strategies proposed should lead to a significant reduction in private motor vehicle mode share for the study area from 67% in 2022 to 49% in 2042 for all commuting trips. The active travel and public transport share target for all commuting trips is to see an increase from 33% in 2022 to 51% in 2042.
Flood Relief Scheme
A comprehensive flood relief scheme is in development to increase climate resilience and protect key community and economic assets.
Next Steps
To realise the full ambition of the DZ, Leitrim County Council will continue to strengthen partnerships with community groups, agencies and local stakeholders. The Council will coordinate actions across sectors, grow community participation, and build a long-term programme of opportunities that supports Carrick-on-Shannon to become a leader in local climate action.
Get Involved
Residents, community groups and businesses interested in engaging with the Decarbonising Zone are encouraged to contact:
📧 climateaction@leitrimcoco.ie
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